Lipid Composition and Cholesterol Esterification in Lymph

Abstract

The different lipoprotein classes are present in cardiac lymph in mutual proportions similar to those in serum. This indicates that even the largest lipoproteins are filtered through the capillary membranes to a remarkably high extent. Free and esterified cholesterol and phospholipids are present in cardiac lymph in concentrations about 30–40 per cent of those in serum, whereas the concentration of triglycerides was about 25 per cent and the protein concentration about 60 per cent of that in serum. Physiologically significant esterification of cholesterol is seen to take place in lymph, e.g. in the extravascular fluid space.

Key Words:

• Cardiac lymph
• cholesterol esterification
• lymph lipids
• lymph lipoproteins
• peripheral lymph
• thoracic duct lymph